•••As Police Arrest Three Suspects
The Nigerian Bar Association has condemned in strong terms, the invasion and disruption of Bayelsa High Court 3, in Yenagoa by political hoodlums on Thursday.
Justice Nayai Aganaba of Court 3, was about to deliver the judgment in a dispute involving the ward, local government and state congresses of the Bayelsa State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, when the thugs numbering almost 40 invaded the courtroom.
The suspected thugs attacked the judge with plastic bottles before his police orderly battled to whisk him away from the courtroom to safety.
The NBA in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the Yenagoa Branch, Ukumbiriowei Saiyou and his Sagbama counterpart Ebinyu George Aderigha, said that it is reprehensible for political thugs to invade a courtroom that was in session,
The lawyers body said that it would do everything to ensure that those behind the brazen violation of the sanctity of the courtroom are brought to justice,
The NBA described the assault on the courtroom as a shameful affront on the rule of law deserving of the highest form of condemnation.
The two NBA Branch chairmen also warned that they would not hesitate to pursue disciplinary measures against any of their members found to be involved in the invasion.
“The judiciary is the last hope of the common man and it is disheartening to see this kind of bare affront on the rule of law culminating into a show of shame as witnessed yesterday. This is an affront that deserves the highest condemnation and we will so do.
“We are happy that some suspects have already been apprehended and we hope they will aid the investigation of this unholy act. The NBA will surely follow up the prosecution of this case to its logical conclusion.
“While we assure members of the general public of the sustenance of the independence and neutrality of the Judiciary in the resolution of disputes and determination of issues brought before it as the last hope of the common man, we hereby warn anybody no matter how highly placed that intends to emulate this ignoble behaviour to desist forthwith, as such acts can never be condoned.
“To all those that were involved in this dastardly act, we remind you that there is a reward for every action as the long arms of the law will definitely catch up with you.”
The Network gathered that the thugs descended on the claimant, Alex Blackson and his brother, Osom Blackson, lawyers, and other court officials.
PJ Fawei, the counsel to the claimant simply described the attack as a shock.
“It was shocking to me. I had noticed that on the resumption of Court proceedings at about 3pm, there were unusually large numbers of people around the court premises. When they attacked, they stabbed a court member of staff in the hand and beat up the claimant and his brother.”
Meanwhile the Bayelsa State Police Command moved in swiftly and has arrested two of the hoodlums.
The Spokesman of the Command, Mr. Asinim Butswat, a Superintendent of Police, said in a statement on Friday that the two suspects are remanded in prison custody.
He gave the names of the suspects as “Promise Ogilogi ‘m’ and Azibabin Adiki ‘m’ were arrested on 13 April 2022.”
Butswat quoted Commissioner of Police Bayelsa State Command, Mr.Ben Nebolisa Okolo, as having charged “police operatives to intensify efforts to arrest the fleeing suspects and warn unequivocally, that the command is poised to deal decisively with anyone or group of persons who hide under any guise to disrupt the existing peace in the State. “
The statement “assured members of the public, particularly the Judiciary that adequate security measures have been put in place, to ensure the safety and sanctity of the court room and to forestall future occurrence.”
Credit: THE NETWORK.
